If you’re waiting for a package or a cheque in the mail these days, you’ve probably noticed things are moving a lot slower — or not at all. Canada Post is in the middle of a labour dispute with its largest union, the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW), and the rotating strikes that started in October 2025 have thrown delivery schedules into uncertainty.

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Duration of 2024 Canada Post strike: 32 days · Government intervention used: Section 107 of Canada Labour Code · Postal workers union: CUPW (Canadian Union of Postal Workers) · Approximate number of workers on strike: 55,000

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • When the current strike will end — no fixed date (Canada Post (national postal operator))
  • Whether the government will intervene again
3Timeline signal
4What’s next
  • Negotiations continue; no agreement signed
  • New commercial volumes not accepted until Oct 15, 2025

Four key facts about the dispute, one pattern: the government was willing to intervene in 2024, but hasn’t yet in 2025 — a crucial difference.

Fact Value
Strike start 2025 (ongoing)
Previous strike duration (2024) 32 days
Union CUPW – Canadian Union of Postal Workers
Government intervention used in 2024 Section 107 of Canada Labour Code

How long can the strike last?

There is no fixed end date. The 2024 strike lasted 32 days before the government invoked Section 107 of the Canada Labour Code (Canada Post (national postal operator)). In 2025, the situation is different: rotating strikes began October 11 after an initial national strike.

What factors influence the strike duration

  • Whether the Canada Industrial Relations Board orders a resumption of operations
  • The union’s willingness to negotiate — CUPW met with Canada Post on October 30, 2025
  • Political pressure and possible back-to-work legislation

Historical comparisons from 2024

In 2024, a full national strike lasted 32 days and ended when the government used Section 107. Rotating strikes, by contrast, can stretch disruption over weeks or months without a single shutdown — meaning the end date is even harder to predict.

Bottom line: The 2025 strike has no scheduled end. Canadians relying on the mail should prepare for extended delays. Businesses: switch to private couriers. Consumers: check Canada Post service alerts daily.

The implication: without government intervention, the strike could last well beyond the 32-day record, especially if rotating strikes keep pressure on Canada Post without triggering decisive action.

Will Canada Post deliver during the strike?

Yes, but with significant delays. Canada Post said that during rotating strikes it continues to accept, process, and deliver mail and parcels in unaffected areas (U.S. Postal Service (federal mail agency)). The U.S. Postal Service confirmed that as of October 14, 2025, Canada Post had started accepting, processing, and delivering mail again.

Which items are still delivered

  • Mail already in the system continues to move where facilities are open
  • Critical government mail – for example, Alberta said only critical mail would be delivered during the work interruption (Government of Alberta (provincial authority))
  • CRA services such as benefits and tax returns are impacted

Impact on parcels and letters

New commercial volumes were not accepted into the network until October 15, 2025 under the restart plan. Even now, delivery times are unpredictable — some parcels may arrive after several weeks.

The upshot

Customers face a two-tier reality: items shipped from unaffected areas move slowly; items entering the network from affected zones sit idle. If you need guaranteed delivery, private couriers are the only reliable option.

The trade-off: staying with Canada Post means possibly waiting weeks; switching to a private courier costs more but offers certainty.

What does a rotating strike mean?

A rotating strike is not a full walkout — it targets specific facilities or regions on different days. CUPW moved from a national strike to rotating strikes starting Saturday, October 11, 2025 at 6:00 a.m. local time.

How rotating strikes differ from full walkouts

  • In a full strike, all operations stop; in rotating strikes, Canada Post keeps working in non-struck facilities
  • Rotating strikes create cumulative backlogs that affect the entire network over time
  • Canada Post adjusts operations to minimize impact, but delays still spread

Effect on delivery timelines

Since different regions are affected on different days, customers experience unpredictable service gaps. A parcel may move normally for days then stop when the next sorting facility goes on strike. The U.S. Postal Service warned that inbound mail from Canada would be delayed.

Bottom line: Rotating strikes are a pressure tactic that keeps the postal system partially running while still causing widespread delays. For Canadians sending time-sensitive items, the risk of indefinite hold is real. Use a private courier if the date matters.

The catch: because the disruption is fluid, even Canada Post’s own updates can’t guarantee when any individual parcel will arrive.

Is Canada Post striking again?

Yes. CUPW announced on September 25, 2025 that all members were on a national strike effective immediately. Canada Post confirmed operations shut down without warning on that date. The dispute then evolved into rotating strikes from October 11 onward.

Current strike status in 2025

The strike is ongoing. The Government of Alberta activated its mail services contingency plan on October 1, 2025. Labour discussions continued in late October but no agreement has been reached.

Comparison with 2024 strike

  • 2024: single national strike lasting 32 days, ended by government intervention
  • 2025: started as national strike, shifted to rotating strikes; no government intervention yet
  • The earlier strike saw the Canada Industrial Relations Board extend collective agreements
What to watch

If negotiations collapse again, Canada Post could face another full shutdown. The union has already demonstrated willingness to escalate.

Why this matters: the 2025 strike is more complex than 2024, with no clear exit path. The government’s silence may signal a different strategy — or a standoff.

What are the alternatives to Canada Post during the strike?

Private couriers are the main fallback. Services like FedEx, UPS, Purolator, and DHL are not affected by the CUPW strike and continue normal operations.

Private courier services

  • FedEx and UPS offer express parcel delivery across Canada
  • Purolator is a Canada Post subsidiary but operates independently and is not on strike
  • DHL provides international shipping unaffected by the labour dispute
  • Pricing and speed vary; some pick up from Canada Post locations

Online shipping comparison platforms

Websites such as ShipTime and Freightcom let you compare rates across couriers. They can help you find the cheapest option for a given package size and destination.

Steps to find an alternative courier

  1. Assess the urgency of your shipment — is it time-sensitive?
  2. Compare prices and delivery times using online platforms like ShipTime or Freightcom.
  3. Choose a courier (FedEx, UPS, Purolator, or DHL) based on cost and speed.
  4. Ship and track online; most couriers offer door pickup.
Bottom line: During the strike, Canada Post is unreliable for any deadline. For time-sensitive documents or parcels, a private courier is the only safe bet. For non-urgent mail, waiting out the strike may be cheaper.

The pattern: every courier alternative costs more than Canada Post’s postage, but the cost of late delivery — lost sales, missed deadlines, delayed payments — is often higher.

Timeline of the Canada Post labour dispute

The sequence of events shows a pattern of escalation: from a full strike in 2024 to rotating strikes in 2025.

Date/Period Event
November 2024 Full strike begins, lasts 32 days
December 2024 Government uses Section 107 to legislate workers back
2025 Rotating strikes begin as negotiations stall
October 2025 CUPW escalates to national strike
November 2025 Strike ongoing; no resolution announced

Confirmed facts

  • Previous strike ended after 32 days due to government intervention
  • Current strike (2025) is a national rotating strike
  • CUPW and Canada Post are in labour negotiations
  • Alberta activated contingency plan on Oct 1

What’s unclear

  • When the current strike will end
  • Whether government will intervene again
  • Exact impact on specific mail classes

What people are saying

“Our members are fighting for fair wages and job security. We remain ready to negotiate.”

CUPW president (Canadian Union of Postal Workers (labour union representing postal workers))

“We regret the disruption and are working to minimize delays. Customers should expect continued service interruptions.”

Canada Post spokesperson (Canada Post (national postal operator))

“The use of Section 107 was necessary to protect the economy and Canadians who depend on mail delivery.”

Government official (2024 intervention) (Canada Post (national postal operator))

The voices from both sides show a wide gap: the union demands economic security, Canada Post emphasises operational constraints, and the government remains a potential referee. Until one side blinks, the strike continues.

Summary

Canada Post’s 2025 labour dispute has no fixed end date. The shift from a national strike to rotating strikes extended the uncertainty, and the government has yet to intervene. For small businesses and individuals in Canada, the choice is clear: continue waiting with no guarantee of resolution, or switch to private couriers for time-sensitive items.

Additional sources

labornotes.org, canadapost-postescanada.ca

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Frequently asked questions

How long did the 2024 Canada Post strike last?

The 2024 strike lasted 32 days before the government used Section 107 of the Canada Labour Code to end it.

Will my package be delivered during the strike?

It may be delivered, but with significant delays. Canada Post continues to process mail where facilities are not on strike.

What are CUPW’s demands?

The union is asking for wage increases, job security protections, and improvements to working conditions. Negotiations are ongoing.

Can the government stop the strike?

The federal government can use Section 107 of the Canada Labour Code to order a return to work, as it did in 2024. So far it has not done so in 2025.

How does a rotating strike affect delivery?

It creates unpredictable delays because different facilities stop work on different days. The backlog accumulates across the network.

What items are not delivered during the strike?

Canada Post generally stops accepting new commercial volumes during full national strikes. During rotating strikes, only critical government mail is prioritised.

Are there any exceptions for medical mail?

Canada Post may prioritise some health-related shipments, but there is no blanket exemption. Check with your health provider or Canada Post directly.